Silver Fir Slope

Silver fir is named Abies amabilis in Latin and amabilis means beautiful, lovable. It is a noble fir that can grow up to 70 m tall in its natural habitat. Originally from the coastal regions of western North America, it ranges from southern Alaska through British Columbia and Washington down to Oregon, where it grows up to 2000 meters above sea level.

This population, raised from seed in Washington State (900 m a.s.l.), has considerable problems with frost and cold, but has so far managed to survive thanks to a protective snow cover. The species is considered hardy, but these individuals are apparently of the wrong provenance. In order to survive Umeå’s winters, individuals originating in the northern part of the species’ range and from higher altitudes are needed instead. We know that there are possibilities because in the Arboretum Drafle on Hemsö outside Härnösand there is a beautiful stand of silver firs up to 30 m high that really justifies the name.

Under normal circumstances, the species has a beautiful pyramidal crown with dense and regular needles and branches. It is a popular park tree in America and also suitable as such in our country. For northern Sweden, however, it is important to find individuals of the right origin. In the home country, the wood is used for sawlogs and pulpwood. The Danes grow the purple fir as ornamental greenery, i.e. material for wreaths, Christmas decorations and the like.